I need some help finding a buyer for this beauty
Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself and the turquoise including weight and price.
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And why do you say it’s Bisbee?
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This beautiful specimen belonged to my father in law. In 1977 he was fortunate enough to purchase it from a couple in Hollywood, CA. When he bought it, the couple told him that it was mined in Bisbee, AZ sometime in the mid 60’s.
The total weight is 40.2 lbs. Measures 23” in length, 7” in width. It has been authenticated at the University of Mississippi’s geology department.
Very interesting piece. I have a geology background and of course a small collection. What are you asking for it?
My Father in Law was fortunate enough to purchase it from a couple in Hollywood, CA. When he bought it, the couple told him that it was mined in Bisbee, AZ sometime in the mid 60’s.
We are asking $305,000. I can provide the email from the University stating its authenticity.
Well that’s interesting. My understanding is that Bisbee was not “mined” until around '72, and then only for a short time. From the early 60’s till 1972 it was carried out in SMALL pieces in the miner’s buckets. It’s also my understanding that there isn’t any way for a geologist to test turquoise to see what mine it’s from. And only about 2,000 lb were ever taken out so pardon me if I doubt that this is Bisbee.
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Only information I have is what I have given. Being snarky in your opinion isn’t warranted. And yes, it can be chemically analyzed to determine the region in which it was mined.
I don’t think anyone is being snarky here— these are legitimate questions and concerns that anyone would voice before risking their reputation assisting you. In honest curiosity, I’m interested to know more about the testing as in how large of an area we’re using “region” to describe.
Good luck with your sale. This is a serious rock for a buyer to purchase from a non established dealer. I imagine anyone potentially doing business with you will want their own expert verification and some bullet proof provenance.
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Sorry if you thought I was being rude. But we have no way of knowing if you are a scammer. And anyone would need way more than an email from a university to spend that amount of $. I think you should check with someplace like Durango Silver Company (who have quite a bit of Bisbee turquoise for sale and are very knowledgeable) for further clarification about what you have.
Knowing what region something is from doesn’t prove which mine.
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Agree, though really at this point (to readers) it’s just a serious price, since we can tell little about it so far and it’s presented with third-hand oral history.
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I completely agree! This is a one of a kind specimen. The last comment seemed, in my opinion, to be a little harsh. I have spent time researching for quite sometime. My family has been able to enjoy it for many years now and we just feel that it’s time for someone else to enjoy it as we have.
I apologize if I came across rude. We have made an appt to have it appraised. We are looking forward to going to New Mexico in a few weeks to do so.
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Also, thank you for the referral to someone that may could help.
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IMHO, it looks like a lot of waste at an asking price of approximately $17/gram. @Ziacat has raised reasonable questions. I’m not seeing the dark characteristic Bisbee matrix. I would love to speak with the geologist and learn how this rock was verified to be Bisbee.
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I think you deserve an honest assessment.
Have seen a lot of rough turquoise, and purchased a fair amount over the years. While you can offer this specimen for any amount you wish, unless it has formed around a significant deposit of pure gold your chances of getting anywhere near what you’re asking are slim and none.
Most of this stone is mother rock, and with the exception of a couple of small bits poking out here and there, most of what I’m seeing isn’t even close to gem grade, and wouldn’t be worth the time to cut.
As @StevesTrail has said it’s an interesting specimen, and there’s probably some real value there, but I think the valuation you’ve assigned to it is unrealistic.
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The findings from the University don’t state that it’s Bisbee. My husband and I have always been told that it is Bisbee. We are definitely interested in any insight that anyone here may have to offer.